Storm winds are strong; rains are prolonged and heavy. Crack . . . CRACK . . . CRASH! Is that your maple tree or the neighbor's oak? A huge branch felled or the whole tree uprooted?
Is your homeowner's insurance current? Who will you call for downed tree removal? You’ve procrastinated about consulting an arborist. Would having your tree evaluated have helped?
You look out your window. Heave a sigh of relief. The oak next door has blown down, missing your porch. But your neighbor's garage isn't so lucky.
As hurricanes threatened the Eastern and Southern Coasts, homeowners worried about trees falling, branches breaking, people injured and homes damaged. Can we regular folks tell if a tree is healthy or not? Are there obvious warning signs? When is it best to call an arborist? Who should we choose?
We nonprofessionals can spot signs of a tree in trouble, says Jason Lubar, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist and associate director of urban forestry at the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania. We just have to know what to look for.
Biological and Structural Signs of Trouble
In Philadelphia, a curious neighbor braves a post-storm wind to examine a 60-foot black oak that failed in hurricane Irene’s wake.
Lubar offers this context. Tree health is two-pronged — biological and structural. Biological refers to cellular activities like photosynthesis, respiration and growth. Structural refers to the tree's frame.
The property owner's first step is to eyeball the tree for biological clues, Lubar advises. Look at the leaves’ color and size. Browning and dying leaves indicate something's wrong. Yellow leaves (chlorosis, that is, lack of chlorophyll) could be due to one or more of several nutrient or root problems. Leaves that are smaller than normal can also signal a tree under stress.
Next, look at the tree base. Are there tree-rooting fungi growing out of the trunk or roots? Not mushrooms, Lubar explains, but rather fungi that look like white to brown to lacquer-red shelves. These ephemeral shelf conches (shelf fungi) appear in summer and fall. Woody fungi on the trunk resemble a thick horizontal dinner plate or different-sized plates atop each other. Fleshy fungi, usually found on the roots, can be the size of a large cabbage head, Lubar explains.
Structural signs of possible tree failure include substantial deadwood in the canopy — large dead branches that could fall on someone or damage property.
Also, look for crown dieback. Dead ends of branches can indicate a health issue, Lubar notes. It's natural, though, for small dead twigs and branches to drop, he adds.
Cavities — holes in the trunk — can create structural weakness. An open cavity at the tree base forming a hole that you can push a stick or an arm into is serious, Lubar says. Less serious are squirrel holes and animal holes or decay where a branch has been pruned or dropped off.
Be aware of compromised structural roots. Healthy, woody, tapering structural roots hold the tree upright, Lubar notes. Pay attention to their physical condition; don't damage them. "Cutting them when putting in a walkway or pipes could destabilize the root plate." Anyone who’s seen the uprooted root mass at the base of a huge tree can only wonder how that small root system ever supported the large fallen tree.
If you see any of the problems above, have an arborist evaluate the tree's health as soon as possible. Ask the arborist about the potential hazard of large branches dropping or the tree toppling in a storm.
The black oak’s root plate (structural roots at the tree’s base) split the sidewalk and pushed up the concrete sections into an inverted “V.”
Choosing an Arborist
Hiring a qualified tree care professional is essential to properly maintaining your trees and ensuring the aesthetic value of your home and property, says Lubar. An arborist's skill and professionalism are more important than a low bid. Providing your trees with quality care is a long-lasting, worthwhile investment.
Look for credentials that indicate competency and proficiency. The highest proficiency level for an arborist is Registered Consulting Arborist (RCA) with the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA). The next highest level of arborist certification is education in all aspects of tree care with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Membership in professional organizations demonstrates an arborist’s willingness to stay informed about the latest techniques and information. The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) offers an accreditation program through which tree care companies earn a seal of approval.
Ask for certificates of insurance for personal and property damage and worker's compensation as well as client references. It’s usually good to get a written estimate from several arborists. Most reputable arborists ask clients to sign a contract, which should be read carefully. Ask questions such as when will the work be started and completed. Be sure your arborist complies with any local, state, provincial, or national laws about permitting and licensing.
Compare estimates. The bids may differ. Talking face-to-face with the arborists can help you decide which company is best qualified and which services are most appropriate for your tree care.
Charlotte Kidd, M. Ed. is a writer, professional gardener, garden designer and garden coach in Southeastern Pennsylvania. She does horticultural programs for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the Philadelphia International Flower Show. She’s a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists and the Garden Writers Association. Contact her at InTheGardenWithCharlotte@gmail.com.
COMMENTS